Investing in Syringe Exchange Results in Future Cost Savings

Published Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Used with permission
from Nguyen TQ, et al.

Harm reduction approaches for those who inject drugs, including the distribution of clean needles and syringes, are proven interventions to prevent transmission of HIV and other blood-borne viruses, and are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other leading public health agencies.

Recent studies in the U.S. and China have demonstrated that investments in syringe exchange programs (SEPs) are cost-saving HIV prevention interventions.

During the 19th International AIDS Conference in July 2012, researchers reported that increasing SEP coverage in the U.S. from the existing 2.9 percent to 5 percent would avert 169 HIV infections.¹ Although this would require US$19 million of additional investment, it would save US$66 million in future treatment costs. Greater program coverage was associated with even greater savings over time (see chart).

A study in China² estimated that between 2002 and 2008, the SEP in Yunnan province averted approximately 16–20 percent (5,200–7,500) of new HIV infections. With total spending of US$1.04 million on the program during that time period, researchers estimated that it saved between US$1.38 and US$1.97 million in care and treatment costs averted.

The findings of major returns on SEP investments are lessons for all Asian countries, where 4.5 million of the estimated 15.9 million people who inject drugs live.³ Although injecting drug use is a key driver of the regional HIV epidemic, SEP coverage has been inconsistent. Delays in SEP scale-up are resulting in lost opportunities to prevent new infections and capitalize on cost savings for national HIV programs struggling with shrinking budgets.